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Welcome to the Long Beach
Economic Development Department Newsletter!
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In This Edition:
- Long Beach Commemorates Demolition of City-Owned Properties on Atlantic Avenue Corridor
- City to Host New Horizons: A Career Fair for Second Chances
- Businesses Wanted for Long Beach College & Career Expo
- Help Me Help You Organization Seeking Vendors for 2025 Healthy Habits Festival in Long Beach
| | Long Beach Commemorates Demolition of City-Owned Properties on Atlantic Avenue Corridor | | |
The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department recently held a demolition ceremony for the City-owned commercial properties located at 5641-5649 Atlantic Ave. Removal of the structures will provide opportunities for future development and investment in the North Long Beach community.
City officials and local businesses gathered to commemorate the start of demolition at the site, which consists of two commercial buildings and one undeveloped parcel. The demolition eliminates existing public hazards and addresses safety concerns and will pave the way for future development opportunities that support economic growth, attract investment and align with the long-term vision for a vibrant and revitalized corridor.
| | City to Host New Horizons: A Career Fair for Second Chances | | |
The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department, in collaboration with the United States Probation and Pretrial Services Office, invites those looking to reenter the workforce or seeking a new beginning to attend a free career fair. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network Adult Career Services Center (4811 Airport Plaza Dr.).
New Horizons: A Career Fair for Second Chances will offer opportunities for people with justice-involved backgrounds to learn about and get connected with meaningful pathways to employment and supportive services. Mental health, health care, housing and other services will be available for attendees. While the job fair will focus on resources for those who have been formerly incarcerated, the free event is open to the public. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP online.
| | Businesses Wanted for Long Beach College & Career Expo | | |
The Long Beach College & Career Expo is excited to invite your company to take part in the Long Beach College & Career Expo on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 2–8 PM at the Long Beach Arena.
Presented by S.T.R.E.A.M. Kids Expo in proud partnership with the City of Long Beach, Long Beach Unified School District, the Long Beach College Promise, and many other amazing community partners, this one-of-a-kind experience will connect students with real-world careers through hands-on learning and direct engagement with professionals like you.
Students will explore high-demand fields like Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Manufacturing while discovering new possibilities for their future, college and careers and your industry can be a part of that journey. Register today and learn more!
| Help Me Help You Organization Seeking Vendors for 2025 Healthy Habits Festival in Long Beach | | |
Food vendors, food trucks, restaurants, and wellness brands—join the Nutrition Knights Healthy Habits Festival this Sept. 17 to Oct. 10 across six Long Beach schools and neighborhoods! Hosted by the Help Me Help You organization, this free opportunity lets you connect with thousands of local families while promoting your healthy products and services.
Feature your business at one or more of our main festival sites:
- Stevenson Elementary School (Sept. 19)
- Oropeza Elementary School (Sept. 26)
- Cesar Chavez Elementary School (Oct. 1)
| | Small Biz Spotlight: Dairy Market by Breezy's | |
Check out Dairy Market by Breezy's, a new brunch restaurant located at 5450 Dairy Ave.
Originally operated as a family-owned shop and Mexican restaurant, Bryan “Breezy” Torres saw the potential in the business after it closed and purchased the building to begin his lifelong dream of opening his own restaurant.
Breezy doesn’t only enjoy making delicious food but also prides himself on creating a space for people in North Long Beach by creating job opportunities for locals and by cultivating a community space where people can come together and eat breakfast classics meet bold new flavors!
| | GO-Biz Now Accepting Applications for California Competes Tax Credits | | |
The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) is now accepting applications for the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC). There are $308 million in tax credits available during this application period for businesses that are expanding and adding quality, full-time jobs in California that might not otherwise be created by the business or any other business.
In FY25-26, special consideration will be given to businesses within the “strengthen” and “accelerate” sector categories as outlined in the California Jobs First Economic Blueprint. More information can be found at jobsfirst.ca.gov/blueprint
| | Zero Interest Small Business Loans Available through JFLA | | |
JFLA is a local non-profit that provides zero-interest, zero-fee loans of up to $50,000 to small businesses and start-ups. Funds can be used for a wide range of purposes including rent, inventory, equipment, salaries, employee benefits, marketing, expansion, and much more. All loans require at least 1 guarantor, and applicants must be a resident of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, or Ventura county.
JFLA was founded in 1904 and provides loans that meet a variety of needs including business, education, and personal. We proudly offer financial aid on a non-sectarian basis (anyone can take out a loan, you don't have to be Jewish). The terms are simple: you only pay back exactly what you borrow.
| | The Economic Development Department's BizCare Program provides support and resources to small businesses and nonprofits in Long Beach. Our dedicated staff is available to connect you with helpful information regarding grants, loans, technical assistance and more to help your small business thrive. For assistance, call the BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ (4249), email BizCare@longbeach.gov, or submit an online form. | | The City of Long Beach Visual Improvement Program (VIP) grant provides direct financial relief to local small businesses and nonprofits impacted by crime and vandalism on or after October 1, 2023. Eligible businesses can receive $1,000 to cover repairs to their storefront. Apply online. Applications will remain open until funding is exhausted. For additional information about the VIP or assistance with completing an application, those interested can call the City’s BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ (4249) or email BizCare@longbeach.gov. | | The City of Long Beach continues to expand its innovative business resources with the launch of its Business Insights Tool, a free online resource for local businesses that makes big data accessible for small businesses, allowing them to benchmark performance, optimize marketing; and analyze competitors, suppliers and underserved markets. The Business Insights Tool is available for entrepreneurs and businesses at longbeach.gov/businessinsights. | | |
The Economic Development Department is now certifying businesses for the Green Business Program. Started in Long Beach in 2018 under the Office of Sustainability, the Green Business Program allows businesses to demonstrate their commitment to creating healthier communities and environments. The Program provides free technical assistance to businesses to help them implement more sustainable practices. Our staff will support you through the process and connect you with all the resources you'll need to get certified.
This Program is available to all Long Beach businesses and nonprofits and is free of charge. Businesses that complete the required measures will receive their Green Business Certification good for three years. Businesses can save on utility costs and create a workplace culture that values sustainability. In addition, businesses will have access to marketing materials and gain recognition through the City of Long Beach and California Green Business Network as a Certified Green Business. Become a green business today! Visit greenbusinessca.org/cityoflongbeach for more information.
| | Take your business to the next level with free online courses, entrepreneurship training and marketing tools from the Long Beach Public Library. Offering notable and distinguished resources such as Udemy and LinkedIn Learning, the Library offers digital resources to help business owners (and their employees) upskill and lead a successful business. The digital resources are completely free with your library card. Visit the LBPL Digital Library page to get started! | | The Certified Blue Restaurant Program supports and recognizes the outstanding Long Beach restaurants that achieve exceptional water efficiency in our community. Interested restaurants can enroll below to receive a no-cost, on-site efficiency survey, free water-efficient devices (if eligible), and an assessment for other possible rebates. Enroll your restaurant for the Certified Blue Restaurant Program. | | The City of Long Beach has launched Long Beach Buys, a new purchasing platform and marketplace that is free for all businesses and organizations seeking to do business with the City. Long Beach Buys is part of the City’s Extreme Procurement Makeover initiative, which aims to enhance the City’s procurement process to be more efficient, results-driven, equitable and sustainable. | | |
Every year, the Port of Long Beach needs small businesses to partner with to build, maintain and service the 2nd largest Port in the United States. Small businesses earn millions of dollars as primes and/or sub-contractors on Port contracts.
Small business opportunities are available for a variety of contract types, such as construction, supplies, landscaping, recycling services, technology hardware, software, and even food services. Visit the Port’s Business Opportunities Overview webpage to download a sampling of products/services procured by each Port division.
The main goal of the Small Business Enterprise (SBE)/Very Small Business Enterprise Program (VSBE) is to promote the participation of SBEs and VSBEs on Port contracts and procurements via prime and subcontracting opportunities. The Port has a 27% annual department-wide goal which is achieved by setting minimum SBE and VSBE participation goals for applicable construction and professional services contracts, and bureau-wide and/or division-wide SBE/VSBE goals on applicable purchases. Learn more about the Port’s SBE/VSBE Program at polb.com/sbe.
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The Long Beach Resource Line is a hotline that supports anyone in Long Beach who needs help finding local, City and community resources. Calls are answered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 562.570.4246.
Connect with trained Resource Navigators for assistance with:
- Housing
- Food Access
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Legal Aid
- Mental and Physical Health
- And more!
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For questions and support, contact our BizCare Team!
562.570.4BIZ (4249)
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Calls received after normal business hours will be responded to within 24 business hours.
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